A father made a heart-breaking discovery as he found his daughter's body after she had fallen down the stairs in her home.

Tracey Anne Willoughby Kirk, 54, was found at the bottom of her staircase after concerns had been raised that she had failed to turn up to meet a friend.

Her dad John went to the cottage in Cumberworth near Alford just before 5pm on June 23 this year to go and check on her.

The inquest at Boston Coroners' Court heard that he could not open the front door as his daughter's body was blocking it, so with the help of the landlord gained entry through an upstairs window.

Boston Coroner's Court (Image: Google)

It was said she was wearing a nightie and clearly had a head injury.

In written evidence from a police constable, Mr Willoughby Kirk said he had last seen his daughter the previous night and she said she was going to help a friend with some gardening the following morning.